Perth / Albany /Margaret River

[benjy]

Hi all,

Myself and +1 are travelling to Perth in late August for 6 nights.
I'm seeking your ideas for things to do and places to visit, and an ideal itinerary please

Below are some helpful details. In exchange for your suggestions, I'll write a trip report during or after the trip

The confirmed details
We land into Perth on 14:40, 20/8/21. Flying J on A330
We depart Perth at 16:00, 26/8/21. Flying J on A330

I have available:
- 3 complimentary nights to use at Crown Perth and intend on staying there for 3 nights
- 2 accor plus nights. I've researched and see options are quite limited and/or have not that great reviews

The "must visit" places are, Albany (don't ask), Margaret River (for the wine ofc), and Fremantle to visit Bumplings. What we do during the other times is completely open.

I'm open to suggestions to get to the places we must visit, the only thing I really want to avoid is car hire. I do a lot of driving every day as it is so don't particularly want to drive any more than what I have to.

Thank you in advance and looking forward to reading your suggestions.

 

[Daver6]

If you have 6 nights here and 3 are in Perth, I don't see that you really have time to visit Albany and MR. You'll spend all your time in the car. Even just going to Albany for the 3 nights is pushing it for value IMHO (unless you plan to fly down?). You're looking at roughly a 5 hour drive each way.

I hear you about using the Accor plug nights. Perth options are pretty poor. The best (not that I've been) options are probably Pullman Bunker Bay or Grand Mercure Basildene Manor just out of MR. Good luck trying to find availability, but in August you might. Expect cold and wet weather though.

 

[JackMiles]

Hi all,

Myself and +1 are travelling to Perth in late August for 6 nights.
I'm seeking your ideas for things to do and places to visit, and an ideal itinerary please

Below are some helpful details. In exchange for your suggestions, I'll write a trip report during or after the trip

The confirmed details
We land into Perth on 14:40, 20/8/21. Flying J on A330
We depart Perth at 16:00, 26/8/21. Flying J on A330

I have available:
- 3 complimentary nights to use at Crown Perth and intend on staying there for 3 nights
- 2 accor plus nights. I've researched and see options are quite limited and/or have not that great reviews

The "must visit" places are, Albany (don't ask), Margaret River (for the wine ofc), and Fremantle to visit Bumplings. What we do during the other times is completely open.

I'm open to suggestions to get to the places we must visit, the only thing I really want to avoid is car hire. I do a lot of driving every day as it is so don't particularly want to drive any more than what I have to.

Thank you in advance and looking forward to reading your suggestions.

Agree with Dave that it would be tough to make all this work in your timeframe and with your stated parameters. No way that I can think of to get to both Albany and MR without a fair bit of driving, short of chartering a helicopter...
One possibility you might consider; fly to Albany, pick up a hire car there, drive to MR and then up to Perth. Albany to MR is about 4hrs drive, MR to Perth about 3hrs. So you'd at least avoid the long 5hr Perth to Albany drive.
On top of that, you'll need to do a fair bit of driving around the MR region if you want to get to several wineries, although you might be able to get on a cellar door tour (but of course then you don't get to choose your wineries).
Maybe fly return Perth to Albany, forget MR this time, and try to get to some of the wineries in the Albany region. Not as good as MR, but some okay spots.

 

[benjy]

Thanks for the replies so far

I originally explored the option of flying Rex, Perth to Albany, then hire car Albany to Perth via Margaret River over 2 nights, though was recently quoted $800 minimum car hire + petrol, no thanks! LOL. Since I'm the only driver on open licence, and would really like to enjoy more than 1 wine on a wine tour, driving is a non-preferred option.

I'm currently exploring the option(s) of
- Day Tour of Margaret River from Perth. 8am > 9:30pm. Stopping in some other sightseeing places on the way through
- Fly down to Albany, in morning, do whale watching in afternoon, stay 1 night, fly back to Perth in afternoon. The last flight of the day off the days that I've looked into is 2.5x price of earlier flights which would offset the savings of not driving. However, no stress of driving, so I'm okay with that.

Still tinkering with days and prices.

 

[Infrequent traveller]

I came across this one on the web

4 Day Tour: Albany, Margaret River, Valley of the Giants TreeTop Walk from Perth

Experience highlights of Western Australia’s scenic south on this diverse 4-day tour from Perth. Sample local flavors and watch a sheep-shearing demo in Margaret River, cruise around the Nornalup Inlet, and see where the Indian and Southern oceans converge at the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse...

www.viator.com

but probably it won't allow you the time and "freedom" for your treasure hunting re winery visits?!

More details

Day Tours From Perth - Tours WA - Australian Pinnacle Tours

Australian Pinnacle Tours showcases the best of Western Australia with a variety of tours from Perth, Rottnest and Broome. Book a tour today!

www.adamspinnacletours.com.au

 

[benjy]

We've almost settled in on our must do and stay places, here's what we have so far... just need to fill in activities on our Free Days
Our itinerary is based on price factors, tour availability and personal preferences.
I welcome suggestions on places to visit, eat at, drink at and everything else in between.

Day 1: Friday 20/8/21

12:40 MEL > 14:40 PER QF775
Check in Crown Perth – 3 night
Visit Bumplings @ Fremantle

Day 2: Saturday 21/8/21

Margaret River, Busselton Day Tour by Adams. Pick up 7:45am – finish the day around 9pm

Day 3: Sunday 22/8/21

FREE DAY

Day 4: Monday 23/8/21

Check Out Crown Perth
08:40 PER > 09:50 ALH ZL2113
Check in {hotel not decided yet}
Visit Anzac Museum
Visit Apex Lookout

Day 5: Tuesday 24/8/21

Check out {hotel not decided yet}
Whale Watching 9:30 – 12:30
FREE HALF DAY
17:25 ALH > 18:35 PER ZL2132
Check In Sebel East Perth 2 nights

Day 6: Wednesday 25/8/21

FREE DAY

Day 7: Thursday 26/8/21

Check Out: Sebel East Perth
FREE HALF DAY
16:00 PER > 21:25 MEL QF780

 

[Daver6]

I presume you're renting a car for Albany?

There aren't really any hotels as such in Albany. We stayed at a little B&B VERY centrally located to the main drag. Historic Albany's Three Chimneys Bed & Breakfast Lovely place. The upstairs room is the pick of them being a bit large and a bit of a view. Amazing breakfast cooked each morning. Only downside is breakfast is pretty early.

As for places to eat/things to do in Perth. What sort of things are of interest? Will you have access to a car?

 

[benjy]

We don't intend on hiring a car anywhere any more, just relying on public transport / uber / taxi. +1 will only have his Ps so I'll be the only driver and I don't like that idea
I know buses in Albany will not be frequent, so will need to research routes and timings prior to the visit

We're totally open on doing anything, eating anything, going anywhere.
An awesome fish and chip shop will be nice to visit.

 

[Daver6]

You might want to investigate your public transport options in Albany ahead of time. I don't think Uber exists there.

Sounds like a day trip to Fremantle should be on your agenda. You can easily take the train from East Perth. If it's a sunny day then it will be glorious. Head to the fishing boat harbour for a couple of fish and chip options. Maybe not the best in town or cheapest, but good enough and worth doing. Little Creatures is also popular. You have the maritime museum and many other things to do and see. If the sun is out, I'm a fan of a beer in the beer garden at the Norfolk hotel.

 

[OZDUCK]

Fish and Chips - we really enjoyed an excellent meal from Crusty Crab Fish & Chips Cafe . It is just off the top of the main street - York St. Another B & B to consider is Dunmoylen House. Big rooms, a nice breakfast and about a 5 - 10 minutes walk from the centre of town. We visited in February this year.

Dunmoylen House | Dunmoylen House Bed & Breakfast

Welcome to Dunmoylen House Dunmoylen House Bed and Breakfast is centrally located, only a short walk to Albany’s city centre, which boasts vibrant café’s, restaurants and the exciting foreshore entertainment precinct. Built circa 1890 it was home to a number of prominent citizens of the day.Dunm ...

dunmoylen.com.au

 

[Daver6]

We also really enjoyed dinner at Liberte Albany - Bar, Restaurant, Takeaway Albany, Historic London Hotel Bookings highly recommended.